Robbie Deans announces Wallabies line-up for weekend encounter against Springboks- Tri Nations Rugby
The Australian national rugby union side’s Head Coach, Robbie Deans, has announced his match day 22 for the upcoming Tri Nations encounter against the Springboks at Kings Park Stadium, on Saturday, August 13.
Deans has also listed the return of their veteran lock Nathan Sharpe into the squad, which he has announced on Thursday, August 11.
Sharpe has replaced Rob Simmons in the squad after he had been dropped from the match 22. Providing the details, Deans commented that Simmons is carrying a shoulder injury and the management does not want him to risk playing with an injury.
Deans confirmed that it was a precautionary measure taken keeping in view the tough international schedule ahead. He said, “With so much rugby still to come this year, and a physically taxing afternoon in prospect, we thought it prudent to pull back on
his involvement for now to allow his shoulder to rest up.”
Scott Higginbotham is also named in the squad and he will take the field at the number eight position. Ben McCalman moves to the bench to give Higginbotham his first start.
Dan Vickerman who started as the substitute in Wallabies encounter against the All Blacks last weekend, has been dropped from the team. He is replaced by the Waratahs’ second row forward, Sitaleki Timani, who will start the match from the bench.
Deans has also dropped Lachie Turner from the bench, and replaced him with the Reds number eight Radike Samo. Similarly, Pekahou Cowan has been dropped from the squad, making way for Salesi Ma'afu to start the match from the bench.
ACT Brumbies front row forward Salesi Ma'afu has recovered from him arm injury to secure a place in the match 22. Commenting on his comeback Deans added, “Salesi has worked hard to get back. The work he put in at our Gold Coast camp last week confirmed
for us, on top of his medical clearance, that he is ready to go.”
The Wallabies match day 22 for their Saturday, August 13 encounter against the Springboks include
Starting XV : 15 Kurtley Beale, 14 James O'Connor, 13 Adam Ashley-Cooper, 12 Pat McCabe, 11 Digby Ioane, 10 Quade Cooper, 9 Will Genia, 8 Scott Higginbotham, 7 David Pocock, 6 Rocky Elsom (c), 5 James Horwill, 4 Nathan Sharpe, 3 Ben Alexander,
2 Stephen Moore, 1 Sekope Kepu.
Replacements: 16 Saia Faingaa, 17 Salesi Ma'afu, 18 Sitaleki Timani, 19 Radike Samo, 20 Ben McCalman, 21 Luke Burgess, 22 Anthony Faingaa.
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